Since September 1, 2024, the 2024 Women’s Bonus has been officially operational, offering an important advantage for hiring disadvantaged workers. This measure, introduced by the Cohesion Decree and converted into law on July 2, 2024, aims to promote women’s labor inclusion, with particular attention to the Southern Regions. The bonus consists of a total contribution relief for companies that hire women indefinitely, with a maximum of 650 euros per month in concession for a period of 24 months.
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What is the 2024 Women’s Bonus
The 2024 Women’s Bonus is a benefit aimed at private employers who hire disadvantaged workers. The bonus provides a total exemption from employers’ social security contributions for new permanent hires. The maximum exemption is 650 euros per month and has a total duration of 24
months.
This measure was created to promote female employment, in particular for women who have not had regular paid employment for a certain period of time, supporting both integration into the world of work and social inclusion.
Who is entitled to the 2024 Women’s Bonus
The 2024 Women’s Bonus is aimed at private employers who hire disadvantaged women in the period between September 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025. Here are the main requirements for female workers who can benefit from this benefit
:
- Women of any age, resident in Italy, who have not been in regular paid employment for at least 24 months.
- Women who have been unemployed for at least 6 months if resident in Southern Regions, which include Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sicily and Sardinia.
This measure aims to mainly support the Regions of Southern Italy, recognized as economically disadvantaged areas and included in the Special Economic Zone.
How does the 2024 Women’s Bonus work
The 2024 Women’s Bonus offers total contribution relief for employers who hire permanent workers, but excludes INAIL contributions and employee pension benefits. Here are the main details:
- Exemption of 100% of the employer’s social security contributions for a maximum of 650 euros per month for each employee hired.
- Duration of exemption: 24 months from the date of employment.
- Employment increase requirement: recruitment must result in a net increase in the number of employees compared to the average of the last 12 months. It is not possible to reduce the number of employees in other subsidiaries to maintain the increase
.
The bonus does not apply to domestic work or apprenticeship contracts and cannot be combined with other benefits or contribution reductions.
Cumulability of the 2024 Women’s Bonus
The 2024 Women’s Bonus cannot be combined with other relief or contribution reductions provided for by law. However, it is compatible with other benefits such as the 2024 Work Superbonus or the 2024 New Hire Bonus, which allow employers to obtain additional tax deductions without reducing the value of the
Women’s Bonus.
How to apply for the 2024 Women’s Bonus
The procedures for claiming the 2024 Women’s Bonus have not yet been defined in detail. The INPS will manage the requests and procedures for accessing the bonus. Once the Implementing Decree has been published and the operating instructions have been defined, companies will be able to proceed with the request
.
Retroactive effect: even if the operating instructions are not yet available, the bonus will be retroactive for all hires made starting from September 1, 2024. Employers who have already hired staff during this period will therefore be able to request the benefit once the operating procedures have been announced
.
When does the 2024 Women’s Bonus arrive
The 2024 Women’s Bonus is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year, after the publication of the Implementing Decree.
However, as mentioned, the bonus will take effect retroactively, allowing employers to benefit from hiring concessions made as of September 1, 2024.
Resources and funding
The Cohesion Decree 2024 has allocated significant resources to finance the 2024 Women’s Bonus. Here is the distribution of funds
:
- 7.1 million euros for 2024.
- 107.3 million euros for 2025.
- 208.2 million euros for 2026.
- 115.7 million euros for 2027.
These funds are part of the National Youth, Women and Work Program 2021-2027, with the aim of promoting job placement and reducing the gender gap in the labor market.
An incentive for women’s employment
The 2024 Women’s Bonus represents an important opportunity for employers to support women’s employment and contribute to gender equality in the labor market. With a total contribution relief and the inclusion of the Southern Regions, this bonus aims to create a net increase in female employment
in Italy.
Companies that intend to benefit from this incentive must keep an eye on the next INPS communications and the Implementing Decree that will define the operating procedures. The bonus will be available for hires made from September 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025, and will guarantee companies significant economic support
.
